hawks, raccoons & cats...oh my.

[corkse01]

We are looking to add to our flock. Would you recommend chicks (again) or trying started pullets?

Our family has had chickens since October 2016.

Right now we have 5 girls. 1 Barred Rock, 2 Easter Eggers, 1 Cherry Egger, 1 Black Orpington.

I've used BYC for a few years now, but never really had a reason to join the Community...all of my questions have always been answered in the forums!

Hobbies include: hunting eggs in the woods, chasing chickens when the ag companies are spraying the fields, moving sleeping chickens, pooper-scooping sand in the coop, keeping predators away & watching chicken tv.

(here is one of the broody ladies inside the cat house!) Geesh.

 

[lazy gardener]

If it was me and my flock, I'd either hatch local eggs, or buy chicks. I keep a closed flock, so will not bring any thing else into my flock.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC.

 

[Plip]

Welcome to BYC! Great to have you here!

Like @lazy gardener , I would hatch eggs or buy chicks, but my reason is that having chicks is so much fun.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. I, too, would hatch eggs, but if you do so a plan B for the cockerels is necessary.

 

[lazy gardener]

Welcome to BYC. I, too, would hatch eggs, but if you do so a plan B for the cockerels is necessary.

Thanks for covering my omission, Sour!

 

[pennyJo1960]

We are looking to add to our flock. Would you recommend chicks (again) or trying started pullets?

Our family has had chickens since October 2016.
View attachment 1270764

Right now we have 5 girls. 1 Barred Rock, 2 Easter Eggers, 1 Cherry Egger, 1 Black Orpington.

I've used BYC for a few years now, but never really had a reason to join the Community...all of my questions have always been answered in the forums!
View attachment 1270765

Hobbies include: hunting eggs in the woods, chasing chickens when the ag companies are spraying the fields, moving sleeping chickens, pooper-scooping sand in the coop, keeping predators away & watching chicken tv.

View attachment 1270766
(here is one of the broody ladies inside the cat house!) Geesh.

you learn fast my cats in or out will eat peeps grown chickens had taught the cats go away but with three outside I have fort knox for my 4 Silky..
Welcome to Backyard Chickens great resource for anything

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.
Chicks...I am not a fan of bringing in older birds to a flock .I am terrified of disease.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree hatching eggs at your place is best, if you have a plan for males.
Second best would be if your broody is willing to adopt chicks.

My last choice ever would be to get started birds. Just no telling what they could have been exposed to.

 

[N F C]

I enjoyed your introduction, thanks for sharing photos & all with us!

For me, I prefer chicks because it's always interesting to me to watch them grow and change as they age.

Which ever way you go (chicks, started pullets), you will want to read up on integration so when it comes time for all the birds to mingle, you'll know what to expect and how to ease that process.

Make yourself at home here, thanks for joining us!